Littering Around Our School

Cammy DeCicco

PS 336 @464

INTRODUCTION:

Why do we celebrate Earth Day? Yes! We need to take care of the Earth. It is where we live. Our school is our home away from home and we have a big problem. Have you noticed anything on the ground around our school when we have our fire drills or when you are coming to school or leaving? What do you see?

This is called LITTERING! Let’s learn about it.

Here is a song to help us remember!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxkdTsY7whc

Why is this a problem? What would happen if we didn’t see broken glass and we stepped on it? What if a dog or cat comes near this garbage? What would happen? How is this dangerous? What would happen if plastic garbage blew into the ocean? How can we stop the neighbors from littering?

Let’s listen to this story about two sea turtles and the problem they had with people littering in their ocean.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qJprWVZ64dT0ZizlTQGsHVPV9a34c5Xj43TM_nIasnQ/edit?usp=sharing

TASK:

Today we are going to brainstorm ways we can stop the neighbors from littering. Then you are going to work with a friend to create a sign that we will hang on the fence outside our school.

You will need to draw picture clues on your sign that show the neighbors how to stop littering. What words can you add to your pictures?

You will share your poster with the class.

PROCESS:

The teacher will pair you up. You will have art materials…markers, crayons, glue, scissors.

What pictures will help the neighbors to remember not to litter? Discuss this with your partner.

Students will be grouped with a high and a low to work together.

1. Define the Problem

The problem is people in our community around our school are littering. It is dangerous, not nice to look at and is a community rule that they are not following. It is also dangerous for animals on land and in the ocean.

2. Gather the Evidence

Everyday at arrival and dismissal we are seeing this garbage.

Every time we have a fire drill we need to walk close to our parking lot fence where all of the garbage is. We have to be very careful.

3. Identify the Causes

People in our neighborhood are littering because they are not looking for a garbage can or recycle bins around.

They are not following the rules because they don’t care or they are in a rush.

Maybe they don’t know where the garbage pail is?

They are not sure what or how to recycle.

4. Evaluate an Existing Policy

We don’t have an existing policy. It is not our custodians’ job to clean it up because it is not ACTUALLY on our school property. It is outside of the fence.

5. Develop Solutions

We can talk to Mr. Gus and see if he has any ideas.

We can talk to someone in the church and see if we can work together to gather and get rid of the litter around the building.

Create signs to hang on the fence reminding neighbors to throw their trash in the garbage or to recycle it.

Put an extra garbage can on the sidewalks around our school.

6. Select the Best Solution

Signs are the best way to help remind our neighbors NOT to litter. This is the most feasible and effective.

EVALUATION:

Let’s see how well you did today.
Is your poster bright?
Did you use picture clues?
Did you label your pictures?
Did you work with your partner?

CONCLUSION:

The students worked together to create real solutions to the littering problem. They came up with great ideas together. They created colorful signs to hang outside. They are more aware and open to making their world a better, safer and cleaner place.

STANDARDS:

PKW4: Create a response to a text, author, or personal experience (e.g., dramatization, artwork, or poem).

PKSL5: Create a visual display.

PKSL6: Express thoughts, feelings, and ideas